Steubenville Rape Case Coverage

Two Arrested For Threatening Victim

March 19, 2013

STEUBENVILLE - City police arrested two teen girls Monday for allegedly threatening the victim in the Steubenville rape trial.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Monday that the two teenagers had been arrested on menacing charges. The threats were made via social media.

"Let me be clear. Threatening a teenage rape victim will not be tolerated. If anyone makes a threat verbally or via the Internet, we will take it seriously, we will find you, and we will arrest you," DeWine said.

Steubenville Police Chief Bill McCafferty said juvenile division detectives were investigating social media comments they believed were menacing. He added that police are pursuing information about a juvenile male as well.

"We take these threats very seriously," McCafferty said, noting the investigation continues.

The department did not release the names of those arrested because they are juveniles.

The Steubenville girls, ages 15 and 16, were transported to the Jefferson County Juvenile Detention Center upon arrest.

The 16-year-old is charged with one misdemeanor count of aggravated menacing for threatening the life of the victim on Twitter. The 15-year-old is charged with one misdemeanor count of menacing for threatening bodily harm to the victim on Facebook.